Swing



my 241 w23- J. L. MARTIN SWING Filed Aug. l2. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet l July 24, 1923 11,462,796

J. L,` MARTIN SWlNG Filed Aug. l2 1921 3 Sheets-i"heet 2 l July 24, 1923- J. L. MARTIN SWING Filed Aug, 12, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 6.

Ill

JOHN L. MAB/TEN, Ol? BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

SWNG.

Application led August 12, 3.5921.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, JOHN L. llLlnRTlN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Swing, of which the following, is a specification.

My invention has no relation to any previous structure of record. Heretofore swing structures were based on theA principle of suspension having members hungto swing dependingly from pivots or other bearings supported over'head. Overhead suspension requires large framework unsuited to limited space; and all ceiling,l or overhead attachments in a house or on a porch are either impracticabley or undesirable.

The objects of my invention are, first, to develop rocking or swinging motion in a structure supported by a suitablebase and independent of overhead suspension members; second, to provide convenient manual operating means for the occupants of the swing; third,.to utilize resilient means or members tending to counteract the action oit' Lgravity, and thus largely to lessen the fatigue of operating` the swing and to checlr the oscillation to set limits and to enhance pleasure by traveling on yielding or spring cushion supports; fourth, to eieet economy of space when the swing is at rest; fifth, to malte the swing movable on rollers when used in a house or on any floor; sixth, to provide adjustable seats; seventh, to provide a container for ballast to promote anchorage to a floor without any fasteningl thereto; eighth, to combine the use of transverse connecting braces with those of handle bars, ladder rungs, and foot rests as needed; ninth, to embody the principles of my invention in a structure with such modifications and additions as to adapt it to any suitable place, to all ages of persons, with one or more seats, and with or without a foot platform; and tenth, to effect economy in' materials in attaining all these objects.

In my swing l employ a new basic principle, the opposite of suspension, whereby swinging motion is generated on base for support, as though ordinary swing hangers and their bearings were reversed end for end to rock on a base. Motion is developed ,in a vaulting curve, that is, with curves turned downward; whereas, the principle in a suspension swing,` de relops curves turned upward.

Serial No. fll.

lily invention consists, first, in a base support with erect legs or levers fulcrumed to turn or to rock on the base and adapted to swing an elevated carrier and an accompanying foot platform to and fro. It consists, second, in transverse bars or rungs connecting;` the legsor levers in pairs to serve as braces, handle bars, ladder rungs, and 'lootrests as desired. lt consists, third, in hanging to swing on transverse bearings carried by the legs or levers intermediate to their terminals, a carrier serving` to connect the legs or levers, serving as a support for seats, anc serving as an unyielding` support to obtain reaction on the levers when manual pressure is applied forwardly on the handle bars by the occupants of the seats. lt consiste, fourth, in a foot platform hung in a manner similar to the carrier, below the same, and serving besides a foot support for an unyicldingsupport to obtain reaction on the levers when manual force is applied on the handle bars rearwardly. ticonsists, fifth, in resilient means or members mounted and interposedin such manner that the action of gjjravity on the carrier and the load tl ereon may be opposed and gradually overcome. lt consists, sixth, in a rolling brace for each pair oi legs or levers mounted at tl head terminals on bearings carried by the levers, mounted at the foot terminals on rollers, serving as intermittent,partial supports of the legs or levers in lieu of an ample base support, serving to maire `practical a contracted base where room is limited, servmy,` as a support and a medium for a resilient member to oppose the action of gravitv upon the carrier and the load thereon. and serving as trucks for moving the swine'. lt consists, seventh, in a container for ballastbuilt part of the base to promote anchorage or stability in the swing'.

in the aocompan'vingy drawings Figure l, is a side elevation ot my swine'iat rest with a position in motion partially indicated; Fia'. Q. an end elevation ot the same closed; 3, is a view showing.' the manner oi mountinl a double torsion spring on one ot the supporting rods on the frariied base should l i ish to use it in lieu of an extension j l* ig. a, an end view of the same; is side elevation ot a modified or n l iramed base suited for use on a where ample room is available, and showin@i another structure on which to mount extension springs to effect the same results obtained and shown in Fig. i; Fig. 6, is a vertical section oi"- the saine on the line f^i-B, and showing the manner ot mounting` and' connecting the springs with the legs or levers; and Fig. 7, is a view of a lever having a handle terminal.

rlhe longitudinal sills l, provided with beveled anti-pinch blocks 2, at their terminals, having mounted at their terminals the transverse bearing rods 3, connected by the spaced transverse rounds or rungs Il, to the under sides of which is attached the base board 5, the erect truncated side boards 6, secured to the outer Jface of each ot the sillsq the sloping transverse end boards 7, secured to the side boards, and the coverl board 8,

` having the retaining cleats 9, secured to its under face adjacent to the side boards, and having engagement with the side boards by means of the Cotter pin l0, constitute the framed base ofthe swing.

On each or' the transverse rods 3, and outside of the framed base, are mounted to rock the foot terminals of a pair of legs or levers ll, spaced apart, braced, and connected by the transverse rounds or rungs l2,

, on their lower portions, and by similar rungs 13, on their upper portions; which latter also serve as handle bars. On the pivots la, on

each pair ot levers is hung to swing a light 'baby or child unable to propel the swing while an older child is propelling the saine, One oli these frames appears in broken lines swung outward and upward in Fig. l, and the turns 17, serve to confine them in normal. position.

ltn 'position parallel with the sills of the base, intermediate to the terminals oi' the levers, and longitudinally connecting them with its terminals, there is hung to swing on the pivots 18, carried by the levers on their outer faces, the carrier, which comprises the bars 19, spaced apart, braced, and connected by the transverse rounds 20, carryingcentrally the transverse rod 2l, and provided at its terminals with the beveled anti-pinch blocks 22. Un the carrier are mounted lcentrallytwo adjustable seats each 'facing a set of said handle bars and in opposite directions, each to each. Each seat comprises two longitudinal bars 23, each having a lioolr recess 24, formed in the under edge at the rear terminal for engagement with the rod 2l, connected transversely by a plurality ol' slats 25, but unequally spaced to avoid interference, each having secured to their rear un- .der edges the vertical spacing blocks 26, havfaces of the levers to support the pivots 1S, partially obstructing the view of the blocks 2S. The rounds 20, serve as supports for the `ltorvf'ard parts oi the seats. By means oil: the blocks 26, and 28, two additional vertil cal positions for the seats and their occupants are provided, and the blocks are manipulated by rotating them independently on said screws, the seats being removable.

In, position parallel with the carrier, spaced therefrom, underneath the same, and connecting the levers, there is hung at its terminals to swing` with and between the vplattorin to support the extension and the feet ci' the occupant of the seat. To the un der edges oi the bars 35, is secured the transverse toot or ladder rung 37, to be used in mounting and in dismounting from the swing. F or this purpose the extension is turned up as in Fig. 2, and baclr against the platform.

To make the swing rigid in vertical position there is hung on the pivots 38, on the inner :laces oit the bars 32, the head terminals oi the lock, which comprises vthe two bars 39, each having a hook recess 40, in its under edge at the foot terminal, and 'the connecting handle bar hill. ln use the lock is swung forwardly to engage in the recesses the transverse rod. yst2i,`mounted on the adjacent levers at suitable distance below the platform.

ln position parallel with the carrier spaced therefrom, and above it, there is hung to swing on the pivots a3, on the outer laces ol the levers the two guard rails, which comprise in each the thin longitudinal bar Llll, having spacing blocks 4:5, secured to the inner faces ot the terminals and having' secured to the upper edge the stitlening bar 4:6. The said bloclrs obviate anti-pinch blocks.

Un each ci the transverse rods 3l, carried by the levers and outside of the latter there is mounted to bear thereon at its head terminals a rolling brace or support.` com prising a pair ot bars ethung at their head terminals on said rod, havingsecured to the outer ifaces ci their toot terminals the i by means of which any desired linlr of the` chain can be en ged to increase or to di-y minish the tension of the spring.

The arrangement. and proportions appear-- ing in Figs. l and 27 are specially designed vior a house or nursery swing* and not Ylor adults. ln use the loclr is disengaged and a child mounts the swing by meansof the ladder rung-s turning` up and backward the extension of the platform using' the rung; 37, for the nal step the handle bar 1.6, being turned outward and upward to iacilitate access to a seat. child seizes one of the handle bars i3. which it faces, and presses it outwardly and downwardly. The stress of gravity in the act of mounting will cause considerable inclination oic the swing forwardly as shown in broken lines in l, indicating a portion thus inclined. Pressure on the handle and the momentum increase the inclination in pro portion to weight andthe resistance of t-he spriiig` under stress. The tendency oi the rolling supports is to yield entirely to the weight gradually fallingthereon. The springs are mounted in such a manner as to yieldingly resist pressure tor set limits of adjustment by hooking the chain longer or shorter as desired. The top oi the base automa 'cally limits extreme oscillation. n reversing the movement, the handle bar is pulled upward and backward the reaction of the spring' greatly aiding` the eiliort; and if there `was `momentum in the forward movement the spring will rebound 'with considerable torce. l-"llhen regular oscillation is established there is added to the sivinejino; sensation the sense ot deep springn cushion reaction. lt is to be noted that with "the levers in vertical position they support the weight entirely, and'that the occupa-nts o the seats gradually fall under the influence of gravity, which Igradually forces the rollers outward. and which teinpers spring; react-ion.

The philosophy of the leverage is this: The Jfoot terminals of the levers `ful-- crunied on the bearing` rods 3, on the base. The power is applied at or near the head terminals. The weight hangs intermediately on .the pivots 18; hence7 the levers are of the second class. The weight oit. the operator drives him lr'orwardly and downwardly needing little or no lever power. To return lo. operation they to central position he exerts lifting 'lorce on the handle bar bracing himself with his feet on the foot platform. lfle can lift to the ei;- tent that his weight bears on the seat. Bis neither carrier nor platform can yield havin; bearines on the levers, the latter do Lyield turning on said bearings and the fulcrin after l'iaclrward more ns. ln reversing` nient the operator pushes the handles trom him u nich are then close his breast. In this eii'ort little bracing required with feet. but the hands can'apply more power than in the forward return. Lover action. in pairs is alike either waJ lit the toet on the rollingbrace in the iodiiied seat arrangement hereinafter referred to then said brace gives reaction to the i t. rlhe structure shown is cai'iable oi oscillation to 500 or more in eithef direction. lt is obvious that l c rnbine the functions ot stand or legs with those of levers in one integral part or member; and therefore, l may use the terms interchr ably.

By slightly hitting; the levers one pair at a timeC the adjacent rolling' brace. can be rolled inward into aligfninen.; with the Former and locked by the blocks or turns 5S. pivoted on the inner edges of the bars ffl-".7, these bars including rollers are longer than Jhe levers downward ironi the bearings ill; ience, the fielding;` action described results itting` the base from the 'lloor as seen in i 2, and contracts the swing; toa limited space suiiable ttor :i house. YThis 'folding automatically mounts the swing; on Tollens to move it elsewhere. l.)revious` to folding' the loch must be set to make the swing; rigidi "Vith wide variations in weight inonel or two children it is obvious that a single spring at each end olf the swine; will not always be satisfactory. Therefore l have provided a relatively light spring1 59, linked at one end to the screw eve V60. secured cen trally and outwardly one at tl e 'rui s each pair-of the levers and .linked at the opposite end to thescrew ...ye centrally and inwardly to one of the on the adjacent rolling' brace. 56, and with hooked or in combination. and thus l nrovioe three degrees. oi? ultimate resilia'nicy.

The' rolling` braces moet the need longitudinally expanding; and contra. base for use in a house, Ion a porch. or on any :Hoor limited in space; but in constructa swing; for a lawn einbodyingciples above shown l will use a lr.; nally ample xed as it appears in 5. l provide a low supporting; iframe oY which to mount the sprinajs inilier. olthe rolling;l supports or braces.Y To ear.L sills l., connected transversely by a plurality ot rounds fl, are secured at their 'loot ter- .minals the double braces 62, in two sets in lll) clined toward eachother, connected at their head terminals by the longitudinal bar 63. The centers ot the sills and the bars 63, are connected and embraced vertically by the double bars 64, which are transversely and intermediately connected by the double brace bars 65, and carry at their head 'terminals the transverse eye bolts 6G, and the parallel needed) for 'toot supports.

hook bolts 67. The levers ll. are tulcrumed on the transverse rods 3, ot the base and inside of the sills as shown in Fig. 6, and are connected longitudinally parallel with the base by Jche bars 66, which carry the trans verse rod 69.

On each of the hook bolts 67, is hung the extension spring 56, being connected therewith by several links of the chain 55. llith another section of the chain the spring is connected with the rod 69, at its terminal. @ne link is shown detached and hung on each eye bolt. In practice the chain is to be hung permanently thereon as a safety measure. Adjustment of spring tension can then be effected by a plurality ot chain links any one of which can be hooked on the hook bolt. It is to be understood that the number ot the coils in the spring is to be determined by tbe distance between the rod 69, and the hook bolt at the extreme limits ot the osciln lation of the rod when the swing` is operated. In such a swing I would provide a suitable number of rungs tor mounting the levers as a ladder.

I do not limit myselt to the use of eX- tension springs. ln Fig. f3, is shown a, double torsion spring, the coils of which are mounted on one ol the transverse rods of the base, and the central upstanding double arms' 7l, of which otter a resilient bearing for the rung 12, oi the pair ot levers lulcrumed on the same rod, in its intermittent engage-ment therewith. One oi the two termina-l arms 79., ot the spring appears in an end v'iew Fig. 4, and is formed into an eye 7 3, at the end for embracing one ot the rounds 4, of the base. Such a spring` is practical with a long base, one being thus mounted on each oit lthe rods 3, is interposed toresist the action ol gravity upon the carrier and the load thereon in its semi-oscillation with respect to each spring. The arms 72, are mounted with respect to the winding` of the coils of the spring. I may use this form of spring t'or prima-ry use in the lawn structure, and connect the spring 5G, as an auxiliary as the varying load may require.

l do not limit myself to the use et the seats described. Hi the carrier is removed it is evident that1 it wide enough, any| person could use either end oi? the toot platform, minus theyextensions, tor a seat and utilize the rungs of the rolling-'lnace (as many as ln such use the Jfoot platform is converted into a combination seat and carrier, and .l regard it as the equivalent thereof in the claims hereinafter set forth. 0r, l may hang the platform in the saine position relative to the handle bars as the carrier and still use the will round the khea-d terminals of the tor-y ward levers as shown in Fig. 7, for use as ,diandles.

It is also evident without the aid of drawings, that l can construct my swing contracted longitudinally and vertically'to the limits oi one seat for adults and to the space ot' a rocking chair, and thus constitute chair swine' 'for use in a bouse. ln this :term l would dispense with the portions ot the rear legs or levers extending above the carrier or seat7 add a suitable baclr to the seat, and-retain the forward levers entire and with or without handle bars.

By contracting my swing suitably in' all dimensions l can adapt it to chair swing for a baby without altering the principles. Again, dispensing with the toot platform l mavv construct on the carrier a baby crib to serve as a crib swing in lieu ot a rocking cradle. l Y

*Be it known and understood that l contemplate the construction oimy swing in the several il'orms specified and described, and modifie-d to suit all possible places and. purposes, all ages of' persons, singular and plural in number. The ballastl box and contents l will not require in all terms to offset the lifting tendency o't the levers, but a oortion thereof or a suitable substitute will be necessary tor attaching the springs 56, or their connecting links with the screw eye 57.

Having thus described my invention I claimfl. In a non-suspension or vaulting swing, a trained base; a plurality oit standards or legs carrying a plurality oit transverse connecting members, and mounted to rock on the base; a carrier hung on and to swinrr with the legs, and forming a longitudinal connection Jfor the latter; and manual means or members connected with the legs to swing the carrier to and tro and consisting of head extensions oi? the legs above the carrier.

2. In a non-suspension or vaulting swing, a supporting structure, a. plurality of combination legs and levers connected transversely in pairs and fulcrumed to rock' on the supporting` structure, a carrier hung to swing on the combination `legs and Y*levers llO intermediate to their terminals parallel with the supporting structure, anti-gravity springs mounted. and interposed in such manne-r that the oscillation of the carrier may be limited in amplitude, and hinge or pivot connections between the carrier and the combination legs and levers whereby` moving' and lifting power may be' applied to said levers to swing the carrier to and fro in a vaulting curve and in unstable equilibrium as set forth.

3. ln a swing, integrally combined legs and levers connected transversely and rigidly in two pairs, 'ulcrumed at theirl foot terminals to rock on a base, having their head terminals formed to serve as operating handles, having hung, to swing intermediate to their terminals, a carrier parallel to the base, and producing in action the oscillation or the carrier in a vaulting curve.

4l. ln a swing having integrally combined legs and levers connected transversely and rigidly in two pairs, having their foot terminals ulcrumed to rock on a base, having their head terminals jrormed to serve as operating handles, having hung, to swing intermediate to their terminals, a carrier parallel to the base, and producing in action the oscillation ot the carrier in a vaulting curve, the combination with said combined legs and levers, oi springs mounted and interposed in such manner that the weight out the carrier and the load thereon may be sus tained yieldingly and may provide spring cushion sensations for the riders on the carrier as they travel to andfro in unstable equilibrium.

5. ln a non-suspension or vaulting swing, a framed base; a plurality of legs connected in pairs by ladder rungs, having integralr head extensions or members connected by transverse handle bars, and mounted at their foot terminals to rock on the base; a framed carrier having a plurality of seats, hung on and to swing with the legs intermeniate to their terminals parallel with the base, and connecting longitudinally said pairs of legs; a framed toot platiorm hung at its terminals on the legs to swing parallel with and' under the carrier; a guard rail pivoted on said head extensions or" the legs oneach side of said seats and parallel with and above the carrier; and spring members mounted and interposed in such manner that the torce ot' gravity upon the carrier and the load thereon may be opposed and may be gradually overcome, when the carrier is rocked to and fro in unstable equilibrium.

6. In a non-suspension or vaulting swing,

ein er) a framed base; a plurality of legs having their lower members connected in pairs by ladder ruugs, having their upper members connected transversely by handle bars to propel the swing, and mounted at their foot terminals to rock on the base; a i'ramed earrier having a plurality of seats, hung on and to swing with the legs intermediate to their terminals parallel with the base, and torming a longitudinal connection i'or the legs, a 'toot platform hung at its terminals on the legs to swing` parallel with and under the carrier; a rolling brace or support 'or each pair of legs and outwardly disposed, mounted at its head terminals on a transverse bearing carried by each pair the legs intermediate to their terminals, and having its toot terminals mounted on rollers; and a spring` member or link connected with said brace and said base.

7. ln a non-suspension or vaulting swing, a framed base, having a pair of spaced 'transverse bearing rods or liulcrums, and built to include a ballast box; two pairs ot combination legs and levers, connected by transverse rungs, :tulcrumed to rock one pair on each of said rods, and connected longitudinally intermediate to their terminals in a manner to swing by a carrier and by a foot platform; a rolling brace for each pair ot' said legs and levers outwardly disposed, comprising a pair @t legs spaced apart by bracing bar, carrying a plurality ot ladder rungs, mounted at their head terminals on a transverse rod carried by each pair or legs and levers intermediate to their terminals, and mounted at their toot terminals on rollers; and an extension springmember forming a link in a chain connecting the rolling brace and the base.

8. ln a non-suspension or vaulting swing` having a plurality ol" levers connected trans# versely in pairs, and fulcrumed to rock on a framed base, a carrier hung` on and to swing with the levers intermediate to their termi nals parallel. with the base and effecting a longitudinal connection for the levers, comprising` two spaced parallel bars connected by a pair of spaced transverse rungs, and a central transverse rod adapted to be enga3 by recesses or notches in the under rear edges of longitudinal seat members a d in the like edges ot the adjustable spacing` blocks pivoted to and under said members, and carrying on said. rod and on said rungs a pair of adjustable movable seats, substantially as described.

JOHN L. MARTIN. 

